Moving To Puerto Rico

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Customs Regulations for Puerto Rico

Completed U.S. Custom’s form
Power of attorney (original)
Photo identification (two copies)
Bill of Lading
Inventory (signed by owner)
Freight bill (signed by owner)

Customer must be in Puerto Rico during the clearance process
Customer should also be present for the Customs process

In Puerto Rico, some articles may not be imported in a customer’s baggage whatsoever. These items (for residents of the United States and non-residents) include, but may not be limited to:

Explosives
Meat or meat products (dried, canned, etc.)
Narcotics and certain medicines containing prohibited substances
Absinthe or any alcohol containing artemisia absinthium
Plants, seeds, vegetables and fruits
Soil, livestock and animals pests
Bacteria cultures, fungi specimens, viruses and other biological samples used for research (allowed with APHIS permit)
Unprepared fish and fish eggs
Imports from embargoed countries (Iran, Myanmar, Sudan)
Leather souvenirs imported from Haiti (drums)
Endangered wildlife species, monkeys and products made from endangered species
Cultural artefacts from Byzantine period, pre-Columbian period, Khmer sculptures (unless with permission)
Dog and cat fur
Items infringing trademark and copyright regulations
Pornographic materials
Lottery tickets

Some articles may have restricted quantities or require special authorization/ payments of duties and taxes to clear customs in Puerto Rico. These items include, but are not limited to:

Firearms (must state serial number; advanced clearance and written arrangements from Puerto Rico’s law enforcement agencies are required for import; can come only as a main baggage)
Alcohol – wine and liquor (taxable when imported to the mainland)
Medication (must be accompanied by a prescription or letter from a personal physician)

In Puerto Rico, the following rules apply to importing motor vehicles:

Personal items cannot be held within the vehicle
All automobiles are subject to inspection
Vehicles are subject to tax and Customs duties

For importation, you will need the following documents:

Title certificate (original)
Registration (original)
Customer’s driver’s license (copy with Social Security number stating physical and postal address in Puerto Rico)
Notarized letter from lienholder showing VIN number, model, make and copy of title
Commercial invoice for vans and pickups
Customs Form 3299 (if originating from foreign country)
Certificate of compliance with U.S. Federal EPA and DOT regulations – Form 3520 (if car imported from foreign country)

When importing a petto Puerto Rico, they will need to have the following documentation:

Cats and dogs must be accompanied by…
- A health certificate, issued at point of origin within 30 days (certificate must state that animals has lived in an area which has not been under quarantine due to contagious, infectious or transmissible disease)
- A rabies certificate issued within six months (only if the animal is over four months old)
Birds require a health certificate issued before shipment.
- The certificate must state that the birds were found free of psittcosis or ornithosis

When moving to Puerto Rico permanently, shipments from the mainland are subject to excise taxes. Items deemed to be non-essential will be taxed at a rate of 6.6 percent of the value declared by customers. Taxable goods include:

Furniture
Books and clothing
Telecommunication equipment
Computers
Sporting goods items
Musical instruments
New items
Electrical items
Carpeting
Cameras
Toys

NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, International sea & air shipping cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 788-1090

How International Sea & Air can help for moving to Puerto Rico

To start, one of our trained moving specialists will provide a one-on-one consultation with you, thoroughly outlining your moving options based on certain criteria, such as:

Your moving timeline. When do you need to be in Puerto Rico?
Your real estate plans. Will you be renting or buying?
Your family/household size. Will you be moving alone or with your family? For business or personal reasons?
Cubic feet estimate. How large is your shipment?

What Will Moving to Puerto Rico Cost?

For the most accurate estimate of your total shipment size, you should schedule an in-home survey as early as possible for your move to Puerto Rico.
Don’t wait until the last possible moment, contact International Sea & Air Shipping today. You won’t regret the decision. After we hear from you, our moving specialists will assess your belongings to give you the best estimate possible to expedite your relocation.

The cost of moving to Puerto Rico will vary considerably based on the cubic footage of your belongings and your proposed destination arrival time so it’s extremely important that you work with an agent so they can give you the most accurate quote.

Ready to start budgeting for your international move? Give us a call, and don’t forget to ask about our overseas packing and custom crating services, too!

About Puerto Rico

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a United States territory situated in the Caribbean Sea and is made up of the main island of Puerto Rico and several smaller islands, including Vieques, Culebra and Mona.

Due to its geographical location, Puerto Rico enjoys warm weather year-round and does not participate in daylight savings time.

Classified by the World Bank as a high income economy, PR is also labeled as the most competitive economy in Latin America, with commerce driven by the manufacturing and service industries.

Puerto Rico has two official languages, Spanish and English, although Spanish is more prevalent.

Can’t wait to get started with your overseas relocation to Puerto Rico? First, find out what you’ll need to clear Customs.

Moving to Puerto Rico Internationally

Moving to Puerto Rico is a major transition for anyone, and there will be plenty to consider and prepare for before you head across the globe. The last thing you want to worry about is the logistics of a complicated move, especially when it comes to documentation, Customs regulations and shipping services. Which is why you shouldn’t have to worry about it. Instead, let us tackle the tough stuff for you.

International Sea & Air Shipping will make your transition to Puerto Rico as seamless as possible, by providing top-notch shipping services for all of your household goods and much more. We’ll be there with you each and every step of your move abroad, from packing and crating your goods, to shipping them overseas and assisting you through the complicated overseas documentation process.

All you need to do is give us a call so we can get started with an on-site estimate. We’ll take care of everything else.